To drive or not to drive

I would like to hear of experiences about driving after a shock. Were you restricted,did you continue to drive,were you driving when you received a shock? I have been doing a lot of reading about this and there are many different opinions.

3 Comments

AFTER SHOCK

by pete - 2008-07-08 03:07:10

Here in the UK and in other coutries you are forbidden to drive for six months after a shock. If you continue to drive you are breaking the law and your insurance is invalid. I would be surprised if the same restrictions are not in place in your country. During the six month wait if another shock occurs the six month wait starts all over again. Cheers Pete

driving

by candi51 - 2008-07-08 10:07:06

Hello!
I received my ICD on June 2nd. I was told no driving for 2 wks but I have not had any documented arrythmias. The Dr said if I would have had documented arrythmias or fainting, etc they would restrict for 3 months.
I don't know what the law is or if it just varies by person.
I too have wondered what it would be like if I got shocked while driving the kids to school or something.
Best wishes-
Candi

A couple points

by joy1 - 2008-07-09 01:07:40

The following is from a prior comment I made t a post from not long ago.

Every state is different. The only universal no driving with an implant laws are if you have a CDL license; no more commercial driving and no flying either. FAA will not allow implant patients to pilot a plan. Cardiac patients who do not have implants and have gone for atleast two years without incident can take lessons and apply for their pilots license.

In the state of Washington you are allowed to drive with implants but not if you have lost consciousness. So if you have lost consciousness for whatever reason, you are by law not suppose to operate a motorized vehicle for the following 6 months. A doctor has the legal authority to notify DMV and inform them you have lost consciousness and to revoke your driving privileges.

Ok, having said that, something else to think about is a persons moral obligation to the safety and well being of others... Is it safe for us to drive; are we endangering ourselves or others by operating a vehicle either given our condition and or the effect of our implant. I for one, before my implant, could tell when I was having problems and could pull off the road. At first, after having my ICD put in, driving was very uncomfortable though I would do it periodically just to assert my independence, inspite of the EP doctor telling me not to drive for 6 months. After I was zapped it was a different story, I was afraid to drive for fear that it would fire and I would loose control of the vehicle.

So there are a couple of things to think of both legally and morally.

Joy

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Do feel free to contact the manufacturer of your device. I have found them to be quite helpful when I have had questions and concerns.